FEBRUARY 20, 1963 -- The U.S. Supreme Court denied a request from
Birmingham Mayor Art Hanes to stop the March 5 city elections. Hanes'
lawyer argued Hanes would be forced from office two years before his
term was to end if the election proceeded.

"There is
confusion in Birmingham over this election," Hanes said. "No one would
be hurt if this election is stayed as long as the matter is before the
court."

Atlanta Constitution Editor Eugene Patterson told
the Birmingham Rotary Club he believed the South could resolve its
racial discord. "There is no hate in the South and I feel we have the
qualifications and experience to solve the problems," he said.

Two Cuban fighter planes fired on an American shrimping boat, but the missiles narrowly missed the vessel.